Obama Extends Patriot Act

[PanzerJaeger]

This is an interesting thread. When the Patriot Act was implemented, there was very little discussion of a leader making a difficult, reasoned decision between two competing yet vital presidential prerogatives, ensuring both the constitutional freedoms and the security of the American people, in the wake of the most destructive terrorist attack this nation has ever endured. It was just the evil genius, Bush, being evil. (As opposed to his alter-ego: stupid, incompetent Bush.) There was little mention of the revisions in 2005, just year after year of evil-ness and the destruction of the foundation of American freedoms.

Now that Obama has extended it, its all just political reality. No president gives up power. No one should have really expected anything important to change. In fact, the definition of change itself is subjective. Only idiots and ideologues could expect Obama to actually change something that was a central Democratic rallying cry for 7+ years. And it was actually the Republicans fault that he signed the legislation...

The reality is that standing in the periphery and criticizing is far different than actually leading. Now that Obama is getting the daily NSA/CIA briefings, I'm sure his opinion has changed considerably on the threat from Islamic terrorism. Not to mention the fact that Obama has been backed into such a corner over the Christmas Day bombing attempt and his signature legislation's drag on his and his party's popularity that they sacrificed their ideals to escape another political firestorm.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Now that Obama has extended it, its all just political reality. No president gives up power. No one should have really expected anything important to change. In fact, the definition of change itself is subjective. Only idiots and ideologues could expect Obama to actually change something that was a central Democratic rallying cry for 7+ years. And it was actually the Republicans fault that he signed the legislation...

The reality is that standing in the periphery and criticizing is far different than actually leading. Now that Obama is getting the daily NSA/CIA briefings, I'm sure his opinion has changed considerably. Not to mention the fact that Obama has been backed into such a corner over the Christmas Day bombing attempt and his signature legislations drag on his and his party's popularity that they sacrificed their ideals to escape another political firestorm.

Yes, how disappointing, but how insightfully true. Excellent analysis

[a completely inoffensive name]

I dont see how this is bad. America is under siege from within and without. The progressives and socialists and communists are sweeping in with the support of the islamic fascists to undermine true American values that originated from the christian bible. Dont believe me? Learn about how evil progressivism has been creeping into the country since the turn of the century at your local library. We need less civil liberties and more patriotism right now.

[Major Robert Dump]

Without civil liberties I refuse to be a patriot. Refuse. I would also refuse to serve in the armed forces.

If I wanted to live in a police state where might triumphed right then I can think of plenty of countries with a much lower tax rate than this one.